Meet Our Augustus Club Members

Augustus Club members are a special group of people who have chosen to translate their compassion for animals and support of PETA into a gift that provides a legacy and gives animals a future. Here, we want to introduce you to a few of our Augustus Club members who share with you the experiences that led them to the decision to leave a legacy for animals in their wills.

Aisling Irvine

PETA’s work, along with that of several other animal charities I support, is very close to my heart.

During my teenage years and at university, I learned about various animal rights issues, such as animal testing, fur farming, and other forms of exploitation. Many people are still unaware of the cruelty animals face or the extent of it. I support PETA and other organisations that work hard to raise awareness and make positive change in these areas.

I grew up in Northern Ireland and was brought up to love and respect animals. Horses, donkeys, cats, dogs, and rabbits were always part of our family, and animals have always been an essential part of my life.

It was my mother’s passing that made me consider making a will. I did this through a local solicitor. The whole process was easy, and it was very important to me to include the animal charities I support so that I know their work can continue and that, in some way, I can be a part of that legacy.

Alan and Julie Bowyer

Along with our four beloved children, we’ve always had animals in our lives. We are glad that PETA are also firmly in our lives and will be long into the future.

We support PETA because they are so dedicated towards alleviating animal cruelty and suffering. They have done so much for animals and saved countless lives. We enjoy reading the updates about how PETA are changing hearts and minds through education. It’s wonderful to see all the animals that have been rescued, roaming free in sanctuaries after living such miserable lonely lives.

We didn’t need to think about whether we should include PETA in our will—that was a ‘no-brainer’ as they say. We know that every penny will be used to help stop animal abuse and carry on the work we want our money to be used for.

Bear de Mel

As a child in my native Sri Lanka, when I saw bulls being beaten as they pulled carts, I would steal the sticks and lecture the drivers. When I grew up, I searched for an international organisation that would never accept defeat in its mission to protect all animals. I found this in PETA, and support all their aims without reservation. Staffed by dedicated, highly qualified professionals who follow their ideals, PETA is the most tenacious animal rights organisation in the world.

All my animal companions are rescued. Knowing that they survived trauma before they came into my life, I love watching them play in the garden, sleep in the sun, and play hide and seek without a care or worry. By making a bequest to PETA, I am helping to bring about similar happy endings for animals in the future.

Stefania and Graham Barker

PETA actively works towards changing people’s minds and attitudes towards animals. PETA goes straight to the root of the problem, and we recognise that to be the way forward for lasting change.

Yoga led us to vegetarianism, which led us to animal advocacy, which led us to adopting a rescue cat named Lila. She unleashed her subtle charm on us and we were toast. We wanted to leave all our possessions to Lila but we suspect that she would just buy treats and catnip! So we decided to include PETA in our estate plans. As much as we’d like to see the end of all discrimination in our lifetime, animal rights will take longer than that to achieve. We decided that PETA is the organisation to carry on this ideal on our behalf.